This past July, Gurudev Shri Chitrabhanuji, who spends part of each year in New York City, turned 90. For the millions of Jains and non-Jains worldwide, this former Muni (monk) is a global leader, pioneer, visionary, activist and profoundly affecting philosopher. His life and message are more relevant than ever.

For decades, Shri Chitrabhanuji has rigorously, gently and persuasively advocated for peace throughout the world, ahimsa in Sanskrit, meaning non-violence. Shri Chitrabhanuji represents a living link to the great Jain sage, Mahavira (599 - 527 BCE) who is believed by some historians to have been an elder mentor to Buddha.

Mahavira proposed, among other things, a brilliant message of non-violence, tolerance, compassion, and the embrace of what was (then) a radical notion: the ecological interdependency of all living beings. After millennia, this potent ethical ideal has become key to the biological sciences, as well as inspiring such people as Tolstoy, Gandhi (who was tutored by a Jain monk early in his life), and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Shri Chitrabhanuji, a global ambassador for Mahavira's call to peace, is the author of over twenty-six books, but it is his very life that offers us a particularly timely opportunity to reflect on his philosophy of world peace and an emphasis on our pressing need to appreciate the sanctity of all life. The photographs of Shri Chitrabhanuji seen here have never been published before and are done so with the most generous permission of the Chitrabhanu family.

Michael Tobias: Gurudev, many people may not be familiar with Jainism. What is it?

Shri Chitrabhanuji: The “ism” added to the end of “Jain” is an English construct. In Jain thinking, there is no “ism” as “ism” implies separation or competition with other systems of thinking. We prefer Jain “dharma” which is a complementary way of life that can co-exist with others, just like a healthy diet. Dharma means to be in one's original nature – the state an object will return to when not influenced from the outside. For example, the nature of water is to remain cool. You can boil it and it will become hot, however, when you put it down, after a while it will become cool again. The nature of fire is to be hot and burning – you can try to dampen it, but given a chance it will rage again.

Shri Chitrabhanuji: What is the original nature of the human being? Is it peace, love and goodwill?

Today, due to the demands of our life, we have lost touch with this element. However, if you let people unwind, take a morning walk, spend time with children or work on our craft...we will return to peace, love and goodwill.